Living in Longhope

The social atmosphere in Longhope is friendly, community-driven, and welcoming to both newcomers and long-established residents. The village hall serves as a central hub for events, from coffee mornings to local clubs, arts and craft groups, and seasonal fairs. Annual events such as the village fete and seasonal celebrations bring neighbours together, whilst the church and school both play a significant role in the sense of community.

The surrounding countryside provides plenty of options for walks and outdoor recreation, with footpaths leading into the Forest of Dean and up May Hill—offering panoramic views across Gloucestershire. Allotments, a cricket pitch, and recreational fields support an active lifestyle for all age groups. The community’s proactivity in organising social activities ensures that new residents settle in swiftly and feel part of the village life.

Longhope is generally recognised as a safe and peaceful rural community with low crime rates compared to urban centres. The area’s rural setting and close-knit feel mean that incidents of crime are rare and often minor in nature, mostly related to occasional antisocial behaviour or property theft.

The Forest of Dean district as a whole has seen community policing initiatives, with a visible local police presence fostering confidence among residents. Community watch groups and local collaboration further help maintain a reassuring atmosphere. Although, as with any rural area, residents are encouraged to take standard precautions, Longhope is often perceived as a safe place to live and raise a family.

Parking in Longhope is generally straightforward, with plentiful on-street parking and private driveways common throughout the village. There are no controlled parking zones, and congestion is uncommon except during local events or at school pick-up times. The village’s rural roads are typically quiet, though care is needed on narrow country lanes.

Longhope’s position on the A4136 provides easy road access to surrounding towns and key routes. The A40 and A48 are a short drive away, giving rapid connections to larger road networks including the M5, M50, and M4 motorways.

Nearby towns and cities:
- Gloucester – approx. 25 minutes via A40 (10 miles)
- Hereford – about 45 minutes via A49/A4137/A4136 (26 miles)
- Cheltenham – approx. 35 minutes via A40 (25 miles)
- Ross-on-Wye – around 20 minutes via A40 (9 miles)

For longer journeys, the M5 is accessible in approximately 30 minutes, allowing straightforward travel towards the Midlands or South West.

Longhope offers a modest but inviting selection of pubs and eateries at its heart. The Farmer's Boy Inn, a traditional country pub, is well known for its warm hospitality, gourmet pies, and classic pub fare; it’s a frequent local gathering spot. There’s also a village shop and post office for daily essentials as well as the nearby Dog House Micro Pub in neighbouring Coleford for those seeking a relaxed pint.

While Longhope doesn’t have a bustling nightlife scene, nearby towns such as Mitcheldean and Gloucester feature a wider range of restaurants, takeaways, and bars. Gloucester and Cheltenham are both popular for their vibrant nightlife including theatres, live music, cocktail bars, and independent cafés. For residents preferring a quiet evening, Longhope’s cozy pubs and countryside views provide a peaceful alternative.

School quality: Longhope is convenient for families, with the local Hope Brook C of E Primary School and good access to reputable secondary schools in neighbouring towns.

Parks and green space: The area is enveloped by countryside, with easy access to public footpaths, May Hill, and recreational green spaces that children can explore freely.

Childcare: Childminding and nursery services are available locally or in nearby Mitcheldean and Cinderford, catering to pre-schoolers.

Safety: The village’s low crime rates and strong sense of community create a secure setting for families.

Family activities: Outdoor pursuits are plentiful, from forest walks to village sports and seasonal events organized within Longhope and the wider Forest of Dean region, making the area a strong option for family living.

Pet-friendly living in Longhope is seamless thanks to the abundance of open countryside, woodland trails, and rural footpaths on the village doorstep. May Hill and the Forest of Dean are particularly popular with dog owners, offering extensive walking routes with scenic views and wildlife.

There are local veterinary practices in the wider Forest of Dean, with the closest in Mitcheldean and Cinderford. Pet supplies and friendly cafés are also found in neighbouring towns. Most housing in Longhope is pet-friendly, and the welcoming attitude of the community ensures that pets and their owners feel at home both in public spaces and at community events.

Longhope enjoys a convenient location on the A4136, providing direct road access to the nearby towns of Mitcheldean, Cinderford, and the cathedral city of Gloucester. While the village does not have its own railway station, residents benefit from regular bus links to Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye, and other Forest of Dean destinations.

For rail services, Gloucester railway station (approximately 10 miles) offers direct trains to Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, and London Paddington. Commuters can also reach motorway connections via the A40 and A48 routes, which lead towards the M5 and M50 corridors.

Key commute times from Longhope:

• Gloucester – roughly 25 minutes by car; regular buses available
• Hereford – approximately 45 minutes by car
• Cheltenham – about 35 minutes by car
• Bristol – roughly 60 minutes by car

The nearest major airport is Bristol Airport (around 48 miles) or Birmingham Airport (approximately 70 miles), each accessible within 1 to 1.5 hours by car.

For families considering schools in Longhope, the village benefits from a charming local primary school as well as convenient access to a range of secondary education options in the surrounding area.

Primary Schools:

Hope Brook C of E Primary School serves Longhope and nearby settlements. Renowned for its nurturing environment and strong community links, Hope Brook has received a 'Good' Ofsted rating (last inspected in 2018). The school runs a range of extracurricular and outdoor-focused programmes, making the most of its rural setting.

Secondary Schools:

Secondary education is mainly provided in the wider Forest of Dean area and nearby towns:

- Dene Magna School (Mitcheldean): Highly regarded with strong GCSE results, Ofsted 'Outstanding' (2012).
- Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre (Newent): Offers comprehensive programmes with a 'Good' Ofsted rating (2019).
- The Forest High School (Cinderford): Ofsted 'Requires Improvement' (2018), with a focus on ongoing improvement.
- St Peter's High School (Gloucester): Catholic school with a strong academic reputation, Ofsted 'Good' (2020).

Colleges & Further Education:

For post-16 and vocational education, Gloucestershire College in Gloucester provides a broad range of A-levels, apprenticeships, and technical courses accessible by bus or car from Longhope.

Universities:

The closest universities are the University of Gloucestershire (various campuses in Gloucester and Cheltenham) and Hartpury University, both of which are within commutable distance for higher education needs.